Title: Three injured in shophouse blaze

An early morning fire injured three people, the fire gutted a shophouse at Tampines Lane yesterday and it left at least 10 people homeless.

The three injured people were Mr Muthu Maran, a veteran fireman, Mr Quek Seow Meng, a vegetable seller and Mr Chee Seng Toh, a polytechnic student. Mr Muthu Maran was rushed to changi hospital as he ha burns on his shoulders and he also sustained minor bruises to his leg. Mr Quek was slightly burnt on both hands; he was treated as an outpatient and was sent home. Mr Chee suffered a broken ankle he was also as an outpatient and was sent home.

The fire started at about 5.30 am. Mr Ivan Wong was a resident of one of the shophouses while he was sleeping he heard shouts of fire. He said, “I was awakened by the shouting of help. I saw the plank wails going up in flames. I quickly took my blanket and started to put out the flames. There was heat and thick smoke everywhere but I manage to run out of the building to call for help.” Mr Ivan Wong escaped unscathed in the fire.

Three families living on the top floor were also awakened from their sleep and rushed out of the burning house. Mr Quek’s hands were burnt cause he battled with the flames with his blanket on his way down the wooden stairs as the stairs had caught fire. Mr Chee ran down the stairs he fell and broke his ankle. “ We had no time to salvage our belonging. By the time the fire engine arrived, the whole building was engulfed in flames,” Mr Wong said.

The firemen were directing their hoses at the burning building; Mr Muthu entered it and went up to the top floor. Suddenly it collapsed as the floor under him was charred. He plunged 10 metres to the ground. One of his colleagues immediately pulled him to safety. An hour later, the firemen brought the fire under control. The case of fire is not known. The police are still investigating.

~EHD~